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Peer mentor vs academic adviser

The differences between peer mentors and academic advisers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic adviser has an average salary of $46,729, which is higher than the $28,416 average annual salary of a peer mentor.

The top three skills for a peer mentor include mental health, role model and mathematics. The most important skills for an academic adviser are customer service, student services, and financial aid.

Peer mentor vs academic adviser overview

Peer MentorAcademic Adviser
Yearly salary$28,416$46,729
Hourly rate$13.66$22.47
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs1,19923,208
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a peer mentor do?

A peer mentor is an individual who builds a relationship with another person or mentee who is new to the career or at the same level. Peer mentors must serve as a social role model and educate mentees on various resources and services. They coordinate and facilitate social programs and training and discuss any mentee concerns with the top management. Peer mentors are also required to maintain confidentiality with any shared information between mentors and mentees.

What does an academic adviser do?

An academic adviser is responsible for managing the students' educational goals and future career aspirations by encouraging them to join scholastic activities, conducting one-on-one discussions to identify their challenges and areas of improvement, and developing educational plans to address possible difficulties. Academic advisers also monitor the students' interests and abilities for a career setting, track the students' progress, and create engaging activities to observe the students' personal and social behavior. An academic adviser must have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of teaching principles and disciplines to handle different personalities.

Peer mentor vs academic adviser salary

Peer mentors and academic advisers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Peer MentorAcademic Adviser
Average salary$28,416$46,729
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $37,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityBrockton, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew HampshireMassachusetts
Best paying companySaint Xavier UniversityNew York Film Academy
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between peer mentor and academic adviser education

There are a few differences between a peer mentor and an academic adviser in terms of educational background:

Peer MentorAcademic Adviser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Peer mentor vs academic adviser demographics

Here are the differences between peer mentors' and academic advisers' demographics:

Peer MentorAcademic Adviser
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 37.7% Female, 62.3%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between peer mentor and academic adviser duties and responsibilities

Peer mentor example responsibilities.

  • Lead teens in improving their interpersonal relationships via education
  • Mentore and co-taught a class for incoming freshmen
  • Help students complete FAFSA applications, verification paperwork, and booking appointments.
  • Assist FYRST faculty with planning a syllabus, classroom presentations, events, and trips.
  • Conduct FAFSA workshops and assist students and parents with competing tax information need to complete the FAFSA application.
  • Assist students academically in medical and anatomy classes.
  • Show more

Academic adviser example responsibilities.

  • Coach and mentore students in determining optimal course of study to achieve specific career performance goals and certifications.
  • Interpret student records such as transcripts and IEP's.
  • Collect and analyze data for behaviors and IEP objectives.
  • Direct a team of four ESL teachers, implement school policies, teaching schedules, and activities clubs.
  • Organize all freshman and parent oreintation programs, assist in the freshman experience class, advise all undeclare students.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations used for curriculum development.
  • Show more

Peer mentor vs academic adviser skills

Common peer mentor skills
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • GPA, 5%
  • Peer Support, 5%
  • Academic Support, 5%
Common academic adviser skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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